Air outlet device and air conditioning system

ABSTRACT

An air venting apparatus includes: a base portion, assembled on a mounting reference surface in a use state; an end portion; and a side wall having one or more air outlets and connecting the base portion and the end portion, where the side wall has a retracted state close to the base portion and an extended state away from the base portion and is capable of driving the end portion to reciprocally move between the retracted state and the extended state. According to the air venting apparatus and the air conditioning system, with the configuration of the side wall that is retractable in the length direction, the air venting volume and the air venting direction of the air venting apparatus can be adjusted by adjusting the air outlets on the side wall, and attachment between the end portion and the base portion can be achieved in a non-operating state.

FOREIGN PRIORITY

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201810022129.0, filed Jan. 10, 2018, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the contents of which in its entirety are herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of air conditioning, and more specifically to an air venting apparatus for an air conditioning system.

BACKGROUND ART

For commercial refrigeration systems and air conditioning systems, to ensure that cold/warm air after heat exchange with a refrigerant can be accurately delivered to a space where it is required, it is necessary to provide a plurality of air venting apparatuses in a building using a commercial air conditioner. Currently, such an air venting apparatus generally adopts the structural form of an air venting grille. The air venting direction of the air venting grille generally tilts downward, and the air venting area cannot be adjusted. Due to original structural limitations of such a configuration, the air venting direction cannot be adjusted, and the air venting speed can be adjusted only by switching the fan to different speeds and therefore can be adjusted within only a small range. Therefore, how to provide an air venting apparatus capable of adjusting vented air has become a technical problem to be solved urgently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide an air venting apparatus capable of adjusting vented air.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning system capable of adjusting vented air.

To achieve the objectives of the present invention, one aspect of the present invention provides an air venting apparatus, including: a base portion, assembled on a mounting reference surface in a use state; an end portion; and a side wall having one or more air outlets and connecting the base portion and the end portion, where the side wall has a retracted state close to the base portion and an extended state away from the base portion and is capable of driving the end portion to reciprocally move between the retracted state and the extended state.

Optionally, the side wall is constructed as an elastic side wall.

Optionally, the elastic side wall reciprocally moves under the action of an air venting pressure when the air venting apparatus is in an operating state, where when the air venting pressure increases, the elastic side wall drives the end portion to move toward the extended state; or when the air venting pressure decreases, the elastic side wall drives the end portion to move toward the retracted state.

Optionally, the air venting apparatus further includes a pressure sensor and a control module, and the reciprocal movement of the elastic side wall is controlled by means of the control system, where when an air venting pressure sensed by the pressure sensor increases, the control module controls the elastic side wall to drive the end portion to move toward the extended state; or when the air venting pressure sensed by the pressure sensor decreases, the control module controls the elastic side wall to drive the end portion to move toward the retracted state.

Optionally, the air venting apparatus further includes an elastic element disposed inside an internal space defined by the base portion, the end portion and the side wall, where the elastic element is configured to drive the side wall and the end portion to reciprocally move between the retracted state and the extended state.

Optionally, the elastic element reciprocally moves under the action of an air venting pressure when the air venting apparatus is in an operating state, where when the air venting pressure increases, the elastic element drives the side wall and the end portion to move toward the extended state; or when the air venting pressure decreases, the elastic element drives the side wall and the end portion to move toward the retracted state.

Optionally, the air venting apparatus further includes a pressure sensor and a control module, and the elastic element controls the reciprocal movement of the side wall by means of the control system, where when an air venting pressure sensed by the pressure sensor increases, the control module controls the elastic element to drive the side wall and the end portion to move toward the extended state; or when the air venting pressure sensed by the pressure sensor decreases, the control module controls the elastic element to drive the side wall and the end portion to move toward the retracted state.

Optionally, the air outlets on the side wall are constructed as elongated air outlets and/or round air outlets, the elongated air outlets and/or the round air outlets are arranged around the side wall, and the elongated air outlets extend in a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, or a tilt direction.

Optionally, the side wall has a plurality of air outlets, and each of the air outlets has an adjustable air venting area and/or air venting direction.

Optionally, the air venting apparatus further includes: a pivotal air deflector capable of pivotal movement relative to an air outlet to adjust the air venting area and/or the air venting direction of the air outlet.

Optionally, the air venting apparatus further includes: a translational air deflector capable of translational movement relative to an air outlet to adjust the air venting area of the air outlet.

Optionally, the air venting apparatus is constructed as a cylinder or cuboid.

To achieve the objectives of the present invention, another aspect of the present invention provides an air conditioning system, including the air venting apparatus described above.

According to the air venting apparatus and the air conditioning system of the present invention, with the configuration of the side wall that is retractable in the length direction, the air venting volume and the air venting direction of the air venting apparatus can be adjusted by adjusting the air outlets on the side wall, and attachment between the end portion and the base portion can be achieved in a non-operating state, thus saving the structural space and improving the appearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an air venting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic partially enlarged view of an air outlet in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an air venting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic partially enlarged view of an air outlet in the embodiment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an air venting apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic partially enlarged view of an air outlet in the embodiment of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an air venting apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an air conditioning system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention provides an air venting apparatus 100. The air venting apparatus 100 includes a base portion 110, an end portion 120, and a side wall 130 connecting them. Specifically, the base portion 110 is assembled on a mounting reference surface in a use state. The end portion 120 may either be constructed as a sealed structure or be constructed as a structure with an air outlet. Air outlets 131 a for air to pass through are provided on the side wall 130. Most importantly, the entire air venting apparatus 100 is configured as a retractable structure, that is, the side wall 130 has a retracted state close to the base portion 110 and an extended state away from the base portion 110 and is capable of driving the end portion 120 to reciprocally move between the retracted state and the extended state. According to the air venting apparatus 100 of the present invention, with the configuration of the side wall 130 that is retractable in the length direction, the air venting volume and the air venting direction of the air venting apparatus 100 can be adjusted by adjusting the air outlets 131 a on the side wall, and attachment between the end portion 120 and the base portion 110 can be achieved in a non-operating state, thus saving the structural space and improving the appearance.

To realize the retractable function of the air venting apparatus, two specific structures are provided below by way of example rather than limiting.

As a first structure for realizing the retractable function, the side wall 130 may be constructed as an elastic side wall which is retractable under control or is automatically retractable under the action of vented air, so as to adjust the air venting area of the air outlet on the side wall to improve the air venting effect and meet actual requirements.

For simplified control, the elastic side wall 130 may reciprocally move under the action of an air venting pressure when the air venting apparatus 100 is in an operating state. When the air venting pressure increases to exceed a balance pressure, the elastic side wall 130 drives the end portion 120 to move toward the extended state; or when the air venting pressure decreases to below the balance pressure, the elastic side wall 130 drives the end portion 120 to move toward the retracted state.

If the control precision needs to be increased, the air venting apparatus may further include a pressure sensor 150 and a control module, and the reciprocal movement of the elastic side wall 130 is controlled by means of the control system. When an air venting pressure sensed by the pressure sensor 150 increases to exceed the balance pressure, the control module controls the elastic side wall 130 to drive the end portion 120 to move toward the extended state; or when the air venting pressure sensed by the pressure sensor 150 decreases to below the balance pressure, the control module controls the elastic side wall 130 to drive the end portion 120 to move toward the retracted state.

As another structure for realizing the retractable function, an elastic element 140 may be disposed inside an internal space defined by the base portion 110, the end portion 120 and the side wall 130, and the elastic element 140 is retractable under control or is automatically retractable under the action of vented air, to drive the side wall 130 and the end portion 120 to reciprocally move between the retracted state and the extended state, so as to adjust the air venting area of the air outlet on the side wall to improve the air venting effect and meet actual requirements. In this case, although the elastic element is additionally provided, the requirement on the elasticity of the side wall can be lowered or ignored. In this way, the structure of the side wall is simplified, and the compatibility design between the elastic side wall and the air outlets thereon no longer needs to be considered.

For simplified control, the elastic element 140 reciprocally moves under the action of an air venting pressure when the air venting apparatus 100 is in an operating state. When the air venting pressure increases to exceed a balance pressure, the elastic element 140 drives the side wall 130 and the end portion 120 to move toward the extended state; or when the air venting pressure decreases to below the balance pressure, the elastic element 140 drives the side wall 130 and the end portion 120 to move toward the retracted state.

If the control precision needs to be increased, the air venting apparatus may further include a pressure sensor 150 and a control module, and the elastic element 140 controls the reciprocal movement of the side wall 130 by means of the control system. When an air venting pressure sensed by the pressure sensor 150 increases to exceed a balance pressure, the control module controls the elastic element 140 to drive the side wall 130 and the end portion 120 to move toward the extended state; or when the air venting pressure sensed by the pressure sensor 150 decreases to below the balance pressure, the control module controls the elastic element 140 to drive the side wall 130 and the end portion 120 to move toward the retracted state.

On the other hand, the structural design of the air outlet is also well considered in the present application, so as to adapt to the air venting apparatus of the present invention and provide a better air venting effect.

For example, the air outlets 131 a on the side wall 130 are constructed as elongated air outlets, round air outlets, or a combination thereof. The round air outlets may be arranged in a matrix or staggered pattern. The elongated air outlets may be arranged around the side wall 130 along a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, or a tilt direction. The specific number and size of the air outlets depends on the specific air venting requirement of the apparatus.

For another example, the side wall 130 has a plurality of air outlets 131 a, and each of the air outlets 131 a has an adjustable air venting area and/or air venting direction, thus achieving independent control over the air outlets to a large extent. Of course, if necessary, the air outlets may be associated with each other to achieve the linked control over the plurality of air outlets. As an implementation for adjusting the air venting area and the air venting direction, a pivotal air deflector may be disposed inside the air outlet. The pivotal air deflector is capable of pivotal movement relative to the air outlet 131 a to form, together with the air outlet 131 a, air venting holes at different angles to adjust the air venting area and the air venting direction of the air outlet 131 a. As an implementation for adjusting the air venting area, a translational air deflector may be disposed inside the air outlet. The translational air deflector is capable of translational movement relative to the air outlet 131 a to form, together with the air outlet 131 a, air venting holes at different angles to adjust the air venting area of the air outlet 131 a.

For another example, the air venting apparatus 100 may be constructed as a cylinder or cuboid, to better match the air outlet described in the foregoing embodiments and facilitate the manufacturing process.

How to associate and combine the above-mentioned improvements on the aspects of the air venting apparatus will be described below through embodiments by way of example.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an air venting apparatus 100 constructed as a cylinder and a pressure sensor 150 arranged at an inlet side of the air venting apparatus 100 are shown. In the air venting apparatus 100, an elastic element 140 is disposed inside the internal space defined by the base portion 110, the end portion 120 and the side wall 130, and round air outlets 131 a are formed on the side wall 130. Each of the round air outlets 131 a is equipped with a corresponding pivotal air deflector 132 a. During operation of the apparatus, the control module receives data detected by the pressure sensor 150 and controls the retraction and extension of the elastic element 140 according to the data, and thus controls the retraction and extension of the side wall 130 of the air venting apparatus and adjusts the useful air venting area. Based on this, the actual air venting area and direction of the round air outlet 131 a may further be adjusted by means of the pivotal air deflector 132 a, so as to achieve parallel or oblique air supply with controllable air volume and improve the air venting effect.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, an air venting apparatus 100 constructed as a cylinder and a pressure sensor 150 arranged at an inlet side of the air venting apparatus 100 are shown. In the air venting apparatus 100, an elastic element 140 is disposed inside the internal space defined by the base portion 110, the end portion 120 and the side wall 130, and round air outlets 131 a are formed on the side wall 130. Each of the round air outlets 131 a is equipped with a corresponding translational air deflector 132 b. During operation of the apparatus, the control module receives data detected by the pressure sensor 150 and controls the retraction and extension of the elastic element 140 according to the data, and thus controls the retraction and extension of the side wall 130 of the air venting apparatus and adjusts the useful air venting area. Based on this, the actual air venting area of the round air outlet 131 a may further be adjusted by means of the translational air deflector 132 b, so as to achieve parallel air supply with controllable air volume and improve the air venting effect.

Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, an air venting apparatus 100 constructed as a cube and a pressure sensor 150 arranged at an inlet side of the air venting apparatus 100 are shown. In the air venting apparatus 100, an elastic element (not shown) is disposed inside the internal space defined by the base portion 110, the end portion 120 and the side wall 130, and elongated air outlets 131 b are formed on the side wall 130. Each of the elongated air outlets 131 b is equipped with a corresponding pivotal air deflector 132 a. During operation of the apparatus, the control module receives data detected by the pressure sensor 150 and controls the retraction and extension of the elastic element according to the data, and thus controls the retraction and extension of the side wall 130 of the air venting apparatus and adjusts the useful air venting area. Based on this, the actual air venting area and direction of the elongated air outlet 131 b may further be adjusted by means of the pivotal air deflector 132 a, so as to achieve parallel or oblique air supply with controllable air volume and improve the air venting effect.

Referring to FIG. 7, an air venting apparatus 100 constructed as a cylinder and a pressure sensor 150 arranged at an inlet side of the air venting apparatus 100 are shown. The air venting apparatus 100 is constructed to directly have an elastic side wall 130 a, and round air outlets 131 a are formed on the side wall 130. Each of the round air outlets 131 a is equipped with a corresponding pivotal air deflector 132 a. During operation of the apparatus, the control module receives data detected by the pressure sensor 150 and controls the retraction and extension of the elastic side wall 130 a according to the data, and thus controls the retraction and extension of the side wall 130 of the air venting apparatus and adjusts the useful air venting area. Based on this, the actual air venting area and direction of the round air outlet 131 a may further be adjusted by means of the pivotal air deflector 132 a, so as to achieve parallel or oblique air supply with controllable air volume and improve the air venting effect.

It should be noted that in the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, although the side wall is required to be retractable, no limitation is imposed on whether the side wall is elastic. For example, the side wall may be constructed as a plurality of sleeves, which can also ensure the retractable function of the side wall. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the side wall is required to be elastic, and therefore the specially provided elastic element can be omitted, thus reducing the number of parts.

In addition, another aspect of the present invention provides an air conditioning system, including any air venting apparatus described in the foregoing embodiments or a combination thereof. It should be appreciated that a common air conditioning system has a plurality of air venting ends and accordingly needs to be equipped with a plurality of air venting apparatuses, but the control over the air venting apparatuses may be separated from or associated with each other as required. The operating process of an air conditioning system having a plurality of air venting apparatuses described above will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 8, in the air conditioning system, an air venting apparatus 100 a is in a low-volume state. In this case, a small part of the side wall of the entire air venting apparatus projects out of the mounting reference surface, and air supplied by the air conditioning system flows into a specific room through the side wall, to provide low-load refrigeration or heating. An air venting apparatus 100 b is in a medium-volume state. In this case, approximately half of the side wall of the entire air venting apparatus projects out of the mounting reference surface, and air supplied by the air conditioning system flows into a specific room through the side wall, to provide medium-load refrigeration or heating. An air venting apparatus 100 c is in a high-volume state. In this case, the side wall of the entire air venting apparatus completely projects out of the mounting reference surface, and air supplied by the air conditioning system flows into a specific room through the side wall, to provide full-load refrigeration or heating.

Referring to FIG. 9, in the air conditioning system, an air venting apparatus 100 a is in a two-side air venting state. In this case, the air outlets on the entire side wall of the air venting apparatus are all open, corresponding deflectors have the same degree of opening, and air supplied by the air conditioning system evenly flows into a specific room through the air outlets, to provide refrigeration or heating. An air venting apparatus 100 b is a left-side air venting state. In this case, on the left side wall of the air venting apparatus, the air outlets are all open, and corresponding deflectors have the same degree of opening; while on the right side wall, the air outlets are all closed by corresponding deflectors; and air supplied by the air conditioning system evenly flows into a specific room through the air outlets on the left side, to provide refrigeration or heating. An air venting apparatus 100 c is in a right-side air venting state. In this case, on the right side wall of the air venting apparatus, the air outlets are all open, and corresponding deflectors have the same degree of opening; while on the left side wall, the air outlets are all closed by corresponding deflectors; and air supplied by the air conditioning system evenly flows into a specific room through the air outlets on the right side, to provide refrigeration or heating.

The above examples mainly describe the refrigeration system and the falling film evaporator of the present invention. Although only some implementations of the present invention are described, a person of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the present invention can be implemented in many other forms without departing from the gist and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the examples and implementations provided herein should be construed as exemplary rather than limiting. The present invention can encompass various modifications and replacements made without departing from the spirit and scope the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An air venting apparatus, comprising: a base portion, assembled on a mounting reference surface in a use state; an end portion; and a side wall having one or more air outlets and connecting the base portion and the end portion, wherein the side wall has a retracted state close to the base portion and an extended state away from the base portion and is capable of driving the end portion to reciprocally move between the retracted state and the extended state.
 2. The air venting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the side wall is constructed as an elastic side wall.
 3. The air venting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when an air venting pressure increases, the elastic side wall drives the end portion to move toward the extended state; or when the air venting pressure decreases, the elastic side wall drives the end portion to move toward the retracted state.
 4. The air venting apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a pressure sensor at an inlet side of the air venting apparatus and a control module receiving an input from the pressure sensor, wherein when an air venting pressure sensed by the pressure sensor increases, the control module controls the elastic side wall to drive the end portion to move toward the extended state; or when the air venting pressure sensed by the pressure sensor decreases, the control module controls the elastic side wall to drive the end portion to move toward the retracted state.
 5. The air venting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an elastic element disposed inside an internal space defined by the base portion, the end portion and the side wall, wherein the elastic element is configured to drive the side wall and the end portion to reciprocally move between the retracted state and the extended state.
 6. The air venting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when an air venting pressure increases, the elastic element drives the side wall and the end portion to move toward the extended state; or when the air venting pressure decreases, the elastic element drives the side wall and the end portion to move toward the retracted state.
 7. The air venting apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a pressure sensor at an inlet side of the air venting apparatus and a control module receiving an input from the pressure sensor, wherein when an air venting pressure sensed by the pressure sensor increases, the control module controls the elastic element to drive the side wall and the end portion to move toward the extended state; or when the air venting pressure sensed by the pressure sensor decreases, the control module controls the elastic element to drive the side wall and the end portion to move toward the retracted state.
 8. The air venting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air outlets on the side wall are constructed as elongated air outlets and/or round air outlets, the elongated air outlets and/or the round air outlets are arranged around the side wall, and the elongated air outlets extend in a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, or a tilt direction.
 9. The air venting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the side wall has a plurality of air outlets, and each of the air outlets has an adjustable air venting area and/or air venting direction.
 10. The air venting apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a pivotal air deflector capable of pivotal movement relative to an air outlet to adjust the air venting area and/or the air venting direction of the air outlet.
 11. The air venting apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a translational air deflector capable of translational movement relative to an air outlet to adjust the air venting area of the air outlet.
 12. The air venting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air venting apparatus is constructed as a cylinder or cuboid.
 13. The air venting apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the air venting area of each of the air outlets can be adjusted independently.
 14. An air conditioning system, comprising the air venting apparatus according to claim
 1. 